IGN Wireless Reviewshttp://www.ign.com/articles
The latest IGN reviews of mobile games for iPhone, iPad, Android and moreSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with GoogleFallout Shelter Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/26/fallout-shelter-review
Become a vault overseer and manage the fate of hundreds of post-apocalyptic survivors! What could possibly go wrong?Fri, 26 Jun 2015 17:42:30 GMT558d831c76dc76cce7a8edf0

Let’s be honest - things generally don’t go very smoothly for the humans living within the Fallout universe's underground vaults. Bethesda’s Fallout Shelter for iPhone and iPad gives us the opportunity to try our hand at doing better, to (hopefully) provide a better life for the citizens of the post-apocalypse. Balancing the need to produce food, water, and power - all while fending off radroaches, raiders, and other dangers is a good challenge… at first. But oddly, once you succeed the fun fades away because of the lack of a planned-out endgame.

What could possibly go wrong when putting us in charge of a vault? In Fallout Shelter’s earliest (and most fun) moments, it turns out the answer is pretty much everything. The core gameplay loop is easy to understand - as new citizens are born or recruited into your vault, you must dig into a mountain to construct Living Quarters for them to sleep, as well as Water Treatment Plants and Cafeterias to produce their food and water, and Power Plants to keep all these factories operating.

]]>Justin Davis2015-06-26T17:42:30ZNvidia Shield Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/28/nvidia-shield-android-tv-review
This Android TV device boasts some incredible specs and features, but it's ultimately undermined by its OS's weak ecosystem.Thu, 28 May 2015 19:00:09 GMT55672ada80a8d9528be64fd0Within its Shield line of products, Nvidia has a tradition of offering devices with incredible hardware but limited appeal—primarily due to being ahead of their time. While competitors focused on providing the basics and perhaps one or two premier features, the original Shield and the Shield Tablet packed in impressive hardware and various features previously unseen (before Steam launched in-home streaming, there was Nvidia GameStream) or rarely found all at the same time (the Shield Tablet had an HDMI-out port, microSD card slot, and front speakers, and also offered a model with LTE connectivity).

But the original Shield was limited by the selection of non-casual Android games; also, streaming PC games to it wasn't consistently smooth due to the Wi-Fi routers of the time. The Shield Tablet, for its part, was hampered by the operating system's consistent booting of hulking games like Portal and Trine 2 out of system memory if you switched between apps more than once or twice.

]]>Alaina Yee2015-05-28T19:00:09ZSamsung Galaxy S6 Edge Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/22/samsung-galaxy-s6-edge-review
The Galaxy S6 Edge is more attractive than its flat sibling, but its curves come with some caveats.Fri, 22 May 2015 17:50:07 GMT5550f70fa0dcdee35cf3ee35Curvier phones are making their way onto the market, but two of the big players are taking different approaches. Where the LG G Flex 2 pushed its top and bottom ends forward for a large physical arc, last fall's Samsung Galaxy Note Edge opted instead to spill its screen past the usual right bezel and over the edge of the handset. It was sort of weird, kind of cool, and definitely pricey, but ultimately the phone didn't seem like a better pick than the standard Galaxy Note 4.

]]>Andrew Hayward2015-05-22T17:50:07ZSamsung Galaxy S6 Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/18/samsung-galaxy-s6-review
Samsung's finest phone to date is fantastic inside and out.Mon, 18 May 2015 21:10:20 GMT5547bf7d80a8d9528be64a56Last year's Samsung Galaxy S5 was a solid flagship phone, thanks to having most of the features that matter: a crisp screen, a speedy processor, and a great camera. But the phone’s legacy elements—a familiar, cheap-feeling build, as well as an overwhelming amount of software features and bloatware cluttering the UI—held it back, allowing other Android competitors to eclipse it in the market.

Thankfully, Samsung hit the reset button for the Galaxy S6. The flagship line’s former weak points have been radically changed, with a stunning build and a streamlined version of Samsung’s TouchWiz skin that keeps Android 5.0 feeling plenty fast and effective during use.

]]>Andrew Hayward2015-05-18T21:10:20ZKnights of Pen & Paper 2 Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/15/knights-of-pen-paper-2-review
A self-aware RPG that has its tongue firmly planted in cheek. If you've ever played Dungeons &amp; Dragons or a fantasy game, this one's for you.Fri, 15 May 2015 04:06:52 GMT55555cc07add68a0b25d4558

What better way to have some fun with the traditions of fantasy video games and nerd culture than through a game where you role-play as a role-player? That’s the premise of the Knights of Pen & Paper games, which see you gather up a brave party of adventurers… then sit around a table and tell the dungeon master what you want to do. It’s a strong central conceit, adding a meta-commentary to what would otherwise be a solid but familiar RPG backbone, and this sequel expands neatly on the systems and presentation of the original. It’s not quite as tactically deep as it could have been, nor does it have the end-game I would have liked to see, but Knights of Pen & Paper 2 is thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.

]]>id=Cam Shea2015-05-15T04:06:52ZApple Watch Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/07/apple-watch-review
There's a lot to like about the Apple Watch and even a fair bit to love, but there are areas that need improvement.Thu, 07 May 2015 19:45:31 GMT55424ed47add68a0b25d41c9With the launch of the Apple Watch, iPhone users who’ve yearned for more than the Pebble’s basic capabilities finally have a premium wearable of their own. And as you’d expect from Apple, its smartwatch is gorgeously designed and packs in innovative tweaks—but somewhat surprisingly, it feels very much like a first-generation product, meaning early adopters have some caveats to deal with for now.

]]>andrewhayward2015-05-07T19:45:31ZSamsung Gear VR Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/01/samsung-gear-vr-review
Samsung's virtual-reality headset wows with a strong first impression that hints at VR's promise, but doesn’t offer much beyond that.Fri, 01 May 2015 19:15:42 GMT5543bbfca0dcdee35cf3ec11Putting on the Samsung Gear VR for the first time is a really impressive effect—one with the potential to someday revolutionize the way we interact with virtual worlds. Beyond that, however, it’s too limited to be of much use in the long term, unless you’re a developer aiming to create your own apps. That’s who this “Innovator Edition” is aimed at, so it might’ve been more clear for Samsung to just name this what it really is: a developer kit.

Hardware-wise, this $200 headset is polished and simple to use. The Galaxy Note 4 (sold separately) that powers it clips in easily, and the connection via the USB port on the bottom of the phone automatically triggers the custom software (which is installed off an included micro SD card). Because dust can get on both the headset lenses and on the Note’s screen itself, wiping both with the included microfiber cloth before use is a must.

]]>Dan Stapleton2015-05-01T19:15:42ZHTC One M9 Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/01/htc-one-m9-review
The HTC One M9 is impressive, but the company has yet to completely fix one of its flagship line's nagging weaknesses.Fri, 01 May 2015 18:00:17 GMT553aca61a0dcdee35cf3eaaaWith its flagship One smartphones, HTC seems determined to prove that change isn't always for the better—since the first iteration launched two years ago, there haven't been any major adjustments to the handset's design. But the latest One isn't just a rehash of its predecessors, it's got a top-of-the-line processor, Android 5.0, and a new camera.

The new One M9 is a great demonstration of what HTC's idea of a quality, high-end smartphone should be. Its beautiful metal casing is now accompanied by a 20-megapixel rear-facing camera, the stereo front-facing BoomSound speakers are still the best in the business, and the slight bump in battery size is a welcome change. These characteristics are good and all, but just being good isn't always good enough—when up against the likes of Samsung's new Galaxy S6 and the recently-announced LG G4, you've got to be great to stand out. The One M9 may be HTC's best smartphone yet, but whether or not it's the best for you depends on your priorities.

Halo has plenty of elements that don't work within the framework of a top-down shooter; it's pretty much impossible to be cinematic from a bird's eye view, and the absence of a vertical plane removes much of the combat's nuance. Fortunately, the few elements that do work are Halo: Spartan Strike's strong suit. The variety of weaponry, skills, and enemies culled from Halo's 13-year history add enough variety to keep the campaign afloat, while the series’ lore contributes the modicum of narrative drive necessary to keep up the storytelling side.

Like 2013's Halo: Spartan Assault, Spartan Strike takes place within a tactical simulator, using fictional combat situations to train soldiers. While I was initially irked by Spartan Strike's non-canon status, it uses this “what if” scenario to really open up some combat diversity, it just takes a little time getting there.

]]>Dave Rudden2015-04-21T21:12:05ZLG G Flex 2 Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/08/lg-g-flex-2-review
The LG G Flex 2 shows big improvement over the original, but this curved phone's appeal is reduced by overheating issues.Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:00:45 GMT5522d0e77add68a0b25d3c0aThe LG G3 was our pick for 2014's best smartphone, and the next one will almost certainly be announced at an event later this month. But the company has another flagship-level phone out now that could tempt some away from its main line: the LG G Flex 2. Last year's G Flex was an interesting phone, certainly, but one that felt like a gimmick brought to life for the sake of it—and the mediocre screen didn't help.

]]>Andrew Hayward2015-04-08T22:00:45ZFinal Fantasy: Record Keeper Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/02/final-fantasy-record-keeper-review
Final Fantasy Record Keeper is a fun but forgettable trip down memory lane.Thu, 02 Apr 2015 00:00:22 GMT551c59497add68a0b25d3b1aIt’s been over 20 years since I first encountered Final Fantasy IV’s Mist Dragon, but I still remembered that attacking it when it turns into vapor is as futile as punching air. So when she pulled this trick again in Final Fantasy: Record Keeper I ordered my party to defend themselves and wait; the moment the dragon re-emerged, I ordered the dragoon Kain to perform his signature Double Jump move, then had Cloud finish it off with a heavy sword blow. Yes, Cloud. That burst of novelty and nostalgia makes this free-to-play turn-based RPG for mobile devices briefly entertaining, though it began to fade away as I realized that Record Keeper has little depth or breadth.

Record Keeper relies heavily on fans’ knowledge of Final Fantasy lore, and doesn’t waste much time with plot or character development. In doing so, it ends up being a bland presentation of what we know are actually interesting people and places. Each Final Fantasy realm is represented by nothing but a numbered door, and the magical paintings that represent a realm’s story are just screenshots with a brief summary of events below them. There’s no world exploration and very little character interaction, which made Record Keeper’s world and characters feel strangely nebulous. I was especially disappointed that I couldn’t unlock videos of iconic moments from each Final Fantasy, because I would have loved to see Yuna sending souls to the Far Plane (FFX) or re-watch the epic battle between Alexander and Bahamut (Final Fantasy IX).

]]>Meghan Sullivan2015-04-02T00:00:22ZBlu Studio Energy Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/25/blu-studio-energy-review
The Blu Studio Energy boasts incredible battery life, but sluggish performance tanks this budget phone's appeal.Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:14:13 GMT550f9821a0dc802cdfc3995cCompared to the flagship-esque Blu Vivo Air, the company's new Studio Energy phone is considerably more pedestrian in design. It's chunky (10.4mm) and a bit heavy (6.35oz) for a modern smartphone, with a more conventional design and a rubberized, removable backing. But that's because this budget phone's big perk isn't visible from the outside: it has a huge battery inside.

]]>Andrew Hayward2015-03-25T21:14:13ZBlu Vivo Air Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/19/blu-vivo-air-review
The Blu Vivo Air outshines its $200 off-contract price with an ultra-slim build and quality screen, despite no LTE and a bad skin.Thu, 19 Mar 2015 18:45:34 GMT55033f8c7addd5931b2b8f09You might not have heard of Blu, but the Miami-based company is making a splash in the smartphone market with cheap phones boasting high-end features. The Vivo Air definitely fits that bill: it's a staggeringly svelte Android phone that measures just 5.1mm thick, and it's completely flat; there's no iPhone 6-like camera jutting out from the back.

Paired with sleek styling, it doesn’t look anything like a $200 phone, but it is—and sold unlocked for GSM networks. However, as expected, the premium appearance only goes so far to conceal some weaker elements.

]]>Andrew Hayward2015-03-19T18:45:34ZSid Meier's Starships Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/14/sid-meiers-starships-review
You can expect to see a few good tactical battles before the AI loses steam and its strategy gets frustrating.Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:58:05 GMT55037be6a0dcec6e0f766869

I’ve gotten a few good turn-based fleet engagements out of Sid Meier’s Starships, but they feel like the quick tactical minigame component of a larger, more complex strategy game that isn’t here. Instead we get a confusing galactic conquest game that moves too fast for its own good. WIthout the support and context of a thoughtful war, Starships’ hex-based battles lost their luster after just a couple of days.

When you’re first setting out from your homeworld with a two-ship fleet to win independent planets over to your cause before rival empires do, mission variety is pretty good: escorting a friendly ship to a destination, preventing an enemy from reaching theirs, navigating a maze of asteroids while handicapped by a limited view distance, taking out a VIP enemy ship, hunting stealth fighters – there are quite a few. The problem is, most of those missions are either extremely easy due to the barely upgraded ships having few capabilities (just zip behind your target and blast their weak rear shields at point-blank range for one-shot kills), or so hard my entire fleet was wiped out on the first turn – effectively ending the game before it got started.

]]>Dan Stapleton2015-03-14T00:58:05ZMotorola Moto E (2nd Gen) Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/06/motorola-moto-e-2nd-gen-review
Motorola's new Moto E packs 4G LTE and Android Lollipop while upping the specs. It's a solid phone and a serious value.Fri, 06 Mar 2015 21:52:00 GMT54f88e2f7addd5931b2b8ceaMotorola's recent resurgence has come on a willingness to quickly learn from its smartphone releases. Last fall's high-end Moto X was a huge improvement over the original, and it's still one of the best Android phones on the market six months later. And while the stakes are lower and the tech less cutting-edge, the new second-gen Moto E is likewise a much better phone than its predecessor.

That's a relative statement, of course. While fancy flagship devices battle it out for several hundred of your unsubsidized dollars, the Moto E comes in at a very attractive $150 unlocked—no contract needed. That's for a 4G phone with a quad-core processor and near-stock Android 5.0 Lollipop, which is still a rare commodity amongst budget handsets. Expectedly, the phone comes with some compromises, but at this price, nothing is a deal-breaker.

Midnight Star seems to really want to be Halo. It's a desire that comes through in its environments, with their gleaming sci-fi structures set against rolling green hills; in its aliens, with their brightly colored armor and guttural muttering; and in its sweeping backstory, which feels under-explained without the free companion graphic novel. Unfortunately, while Midnight Star hits all the right aesthetic notes – hardly surprising, as its development studio was co-founded by one of Halo's creators – its gameplay falls short, and all that stuff becomes window dressing for a mildly enjoyable, ploddingly repetitive, free-to-play shooting gallery.

To be fair, Midnight Star does a decent job addressing one of the key failings of first-person shooters on mobile devices: the awkwardness of moving and aiming with a touchscreen. Movement is handled automatically, with Lt. Charlie Campbell trudging through nicely rendered alien scenery between bouts of blasting apart enemies. You're therefore free to focus on aiming – and, as the enemy indicators to your sides light up, turning to deal with the threats that continually try to outflank you.

]]>Mikel Reparaz2015-02-13T20:28:39ZFahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/12/fahrenheit-indigo-prophecy-remastered-review
The mystery holds up, but this new version introduces more problems than it solves.Thu, 12 Feb 2015 22:54:51 GMT54dd1d247addd5931b2b87bc

When it originally released in late 2005, Indigo Prophecy was both ahead of and an unfortunate product of its time. Its concept of controlling both a crime and its investigation from different perspectives, coupled with a timer-based dialogue system, created the sort of storytelling fluctuation and intensity that Telltale made its name on in recent years. Unfortunately, some of the last decade's worst ideas are present, too, with annoyingly frequent quick-time events acting as a substitute for genuine action and awful stealth sequences that often derailed my effort to enjoy Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered's visual upgrades and still-gripping story.

A majority of that story stays grounded by focusing in on three endearing characters. Lucas Kane struggles with being accused of a crime he doesn't remember committing and equally mysterious superpowers he's developed. Detectives Carla Valenti and Tyler Miles must uncover the deeper mystery as Carla becomes consumed and Tyler questions his dedication. The initial weirdness of tackling both sides of a case quickly subsided, as I rarely felt the need to intentionally sabotage anything on either side. If anything, seeing the twists created for the detectives due to Lucas' prior actions gives reason to be as thorough a fugitive and investigator as possible. This is due in no small part to the opening diner setting, which has so many permutations on both the criminal and investigation side that it's difficult to resist the urge to start over again a few times to see what might’ve happened. Fortunately for me, the multi-platform release provided that opportunity, as I tried the scene out on both mobile and PC platforms.

]]>Dave Rudden2015-02-12T22:54:51ZHori Horipad Wireless for iOS Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/11/hori-horipad-wireless-for-ios-review
The Horipad Wireless iOS controller works very well, aside from the slippery finish, but you'll pay a little more for this premium gamepad.Wed, 11 Feb 2015 20:30:58 GMT54c945b17add5bf61184be06Hori is one of the most prolific accessory makers today, so it's little surprise to see the company take a crack at the ever-expanding field of iOS controllers. And for the most part, the Horipad Wireless feels like a best-of compilation of what else is out there right now: it's solid and sturdy, has great-feeling analog sticks, and thankfully features a rechargeable battery. It even comes with a foldout stand for your iPhone.

Despite sharing a name with Hori controllers on other platforms, the Horipad Wireless for iOS has its own unique design. Well, "unique" isn't really the word: it looks like a bulkier version of an older DualShock pad, just as many third-party dual-analog tend to. But while this Bluetooth-connected option may not have the most original design, the Horipad has full, pleasantly contoured grips that make it feel comfortable in your palms.

]]>Andrew Hayward2015-02-11T20:30:58ZSteelSeries Stratus XL Controller for iOS Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/11/steelseries-stratus-xl-controller-for-ios-review
For iPad gamers seeking a physical controller, the SteelSeries Stratus XL is the first to truly feel like a premium console gamepad.Wed, 11 Feb 2015 18:30:20 GMT54a9a1f4a0dcec6e0f7656d2If you want an example of how far iOS controllers have come in just the last couple months, consider the original SteelSeries Stratus. Released almost a year ago, the pocket-sized gamepad felt flimsy and cramped, but somehow commanded an $80 price tag at launch. And yet it was the best early option by far. That's no longer the case, thanks to the recent Mad Catz Micro C.T.R.L.i and the MOGA Rebel, and now SteelSeries has upped its game with the Stratus XL.

]]>Andrew Hayward2015-02-11T18:30:20ZAsus ZenWatch Reviewhttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/04/asus-zenwatch-review
The Asus ZenWatch offers great styling and solid performance, but it may be too large for some users.Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:00:38 GMT54cd2aa7a0dcec6e0f765e1aThe Asus ZenWatch is the cheapest of the current Android Wear smartwatch crop, coming in at $200, but don't let the price tag fool you. Nothing about it screams cut-rate production—quite the opposite in some respects. It has distinctive style, sleek leather straps, and some nice face options. Asus' debut wearable has the same issues other Android Wear devices have with the UI and battery life, but it delivers a quality experience for less without huge sacrifices.

Square-screened Android watches have tended towards plastic and modern designs, making little effort to disguise their smart nature. The ZenWatch, by comparison, is significantly more stylish, with something of a retro, classic allure. It's not as ultra-minimal as the Moto 360, but the rounded rectangular shape makes a strong yet subtle effort to look attractive and fit inconspicuously with nearly any kind of attire.